Denver Nuggets extend both Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. on long-term deal
This really is not much of a prediction, but the Denver Nuggets will be extending both Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. on new long-term deals.
Starting with Gordon, the Denver Nuggets acquired him from the Orlando Magic last season at the trade deadline in a deal that involved them trading away Gary Harris, rookie R.J. Hampton, and a protected, future 2025 first-round pick.
Joining the team near the end of the season last year, Aaron Gordon was very underwhelming on the court in terms of the numbers he put up, but Denver does love the upside he brings as an athletic wing/low-post threat.
With a full offseason to learn the Denver Nuggets system and develop a repertoire with this entire team, Aaron Gordon has a chance to have a really strong 2021-22 season.
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He is entering the final year of his contract and at almost 26-years-old, the Nuggets feel he can be a contributor for a long-time to come, which is why they will be keeping Gordon on a new three to a four-year contract extension.
The same can be said about Michael Porter Jr. as well, who has a chance to have his best season yet in the league this upcoming year with Jamal Murray out.
Nikola Jokic is the reigning league MVP and is a top-tier player in this league, but he needs a really solid No. 2 player next to him in order for the Denver Nuggets to be successful. Jamal Murray is recovering from a torn ACL, which means all of this pressure falls on the shoulders of Michael Porter Jr. and he is ready to take the next step in his career.
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Coming off a season in which he averaged 19.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and shot 44.5% from three-point range, the 23-year-old Porter Jr. is only going to get better and on top of that, he is about to sign a long-term, big-time extension to remain in Denver through at least the 2025-26 season.
He is an extremely important piece to this Nuggets offense and given that he is 6’10”, he has a chance to turn himself into one of the best wing players in the entire NBA over the next few seasons, starting with the 2021-22 season.
Michael Porter Jr. is a terrific scorer and shooter already, but he still has not reached the peak of what he can be in this league. If Porter Jr. can put things together on both ends of the court during the 2021-22 season like I believe he can do with Jokic, then look out for the Denver Nuggets because they are not going anywhere anytime soon!
This is a top-tier team with growing talents that could wind up taking them to an NBA Finals within the next three to four seasons.
